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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

24 Colleges in the United States
$21,227 Avg Student Debt
$80,193 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Physics Badge [General Physics](/majors/physical-sciences/physics/general-physics/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 162 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for general physics students.

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2026 Best Value General Physics Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the general physics degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value General Physics Schools

1
Princeton University crest
Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Leading the list is Princeton University, our #1 best value for general physics in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $10,888. General Physics graduates of Princeton University earn a median of $67,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.

2
Cuny Hunter College crest
Cuny Hunter College
New York, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for general physics. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $11,091. General Physics graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.

3

University Of Maryland College Park is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. General Physics graduates carry a median of $20,194 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $39,825. That is a strong return on a $20,194 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

4

New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physics, landing the #4 spot this year. New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Students borrow a median of $24,755 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of New Jersey Institute Of Technology earn a median of $71,549 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,755 median debt. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.

5

Students looking for strong value in general physics will find it at Johns Hopkins University, which ranked #5. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $84,850 early in their careers. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.

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Stony Brook University crest
Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NY

Stony Brook University placed #6 among the best values for general physics. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. General Physics graduates carry a median of $21,683 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $44,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.

7
Suny At Geneseo crest
Suny At Geneseo
Geneseo, NY

Suny At Geneseo landed the #7 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,000 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $37,022. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of Delaware earned the #8 position for value in general physics this year. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $26,572 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,741. That is a strong return on a $26,572 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.

9

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #9 for value in general physics this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, compared with $31,225 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

10

State University Of New York At New Paltz came in at #10 for value in general physics this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,530 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $41,000. Set against $21,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.

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11

Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for value in general physics this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Students borrow a median of $23,258 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $86,770. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.

12

The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earned the #12 position for value in general physics this year. Located in the rural area of Galloway, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,266, with out-of-state students paying around $24,524. Students borrow a median of $24,990 to complete the general physics program here. General Physics graduates of The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey earn a median of $43,490 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,990 median debt. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey admits about 89% of applicants.

13

University At Buffalo came in at #13 for value in general physics this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. General Physics graduates carry a median of $22,232 in student loans. General Physics graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $52,403 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

14

Suny At Binghamton placed #14 among the best values for general physics. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $17,500. General Physics graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,500 median debt. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.

15
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University landed the #15 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $27,000. Early-career general physics graduates make about $36,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

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16

West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for general physics. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

17
Haverford College crest
Haverford College
Haverford, PA

Haverford College came in at #17 for value in general physics this year. Haverford College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Haverford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,398. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $79,966. Haverford College admits about 12% of applicants.

18

The College Of New Jersey earned the #18 position for value in general physics this year. Set in the suburb of Ewing, The College Of New Jersey is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $19,632 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,752. Students borrow a median of $24,429 to complete the general physics program here. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from The College Of New Jersey generally make around $56,617. Set against $24,429 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.

19

Rutgers University New Brunswick ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value general physics schools. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,441. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $26,974. General Physics graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of $35,689 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

20
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University landed the #20 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $70,306. General Physics graduates carry a median of $16,286 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Colgate University admits about 14% of applicants.

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21
Gettysburg College crest
Gettysburg College
Gettysburg, PA

Gettysburg College came in at #21 for value in general physics this year. Set in the town of Gettysburg, Gettysburg College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $66,640. General Physics graduates carry a median of $26,309 in student loans. Soon after graduation, general physics degree recipients from Gettysburg College generally make around $43,376. Set against $26,309 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.

22

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #22 among the best values for general physics. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $24,958. General Physics graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,958 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Rochester landed the #23 spot for general physics value this year. Located in the city of Rochester, University Of Rochester is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. General Physics graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Early-career general physics graduates make about $60,865. Set against $19,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

24

Rochester Institute Of Technology earned the #24 position for value in general physics this year. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Rochester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the general physics program here. Early-career general physics graduates make about $48,374. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 67%.

25
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #25 spot for general physics value this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,686. Typical student debt for general physics graduates is $16,155. Early-career general physics graduates make about $74,352. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.

Rest of the Top 34 Best Value General Physics Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in general physics:

26
27
28
29
30
New York University crest
New York University
New York, NY
31
Vassar College crest
Vassar College
Poughkeepsie, NY
32
Drexel University crest
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA
33
Georgetown University crest
Georgetown University
Washington, DC
34
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 162 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 24 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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